Velayati tells Qassem that Iran is 'fully prepared' to face of any foreign threat

Iran's Velayati tells Naim Qassem that the country is 'fully prepared' to face any foreign threats, particularly from the United States and Israel.

L'OLJ / By L'Orient Today staff, 05 February 2026 14:05

Velayati tells Qassem that Iran is 'fully prepared' to face of any foreign threat

A man walks past a portrait of Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem during the parliamentary elections, on May 24, 2025, in Sour, southern Lebanon. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/ l'Orient-Le-Jour)

The letter was sent by Ali Akbar Velayati to Hezbollah's chief to convey condolences over the death of the father of Hassan Nasrallah, who led the movement for 30 years before being killed in a massive Israeli raid on Beirut's southern suburbs in September 2024. "Iran, as a main pillar of the resistance, and with no intention of aggression toward others, is fully prepared to face any threat and any foreign enemy, particularly the United States and Israel," Velayati wrote.

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Iran, US talks to be held Friday in Oman: Iranian media

"Indirect talks between Iran and the United States are to be held Friday in Muscat," the Tasnim news agency said Wednesday, adding that the discussions" will be limited to the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions against Iran."

The Iranian ISNA news agency provided the same information, stating that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will lead the Iranian delegation, which will also include senior diplomats Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not confirm this, saying Washington believed it had agreed to a meeting in Turkey this week, but that Iran changed its mind. He noted that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is ready to participate in talks.

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Iran-US talks already on fragile footing

Since January and the crackdown on the broad protest movement by Iranian authorities, Washington and Tehran have alternated threats and openness to dialogue, as mediating countries work to ease tensions. Iran has repeatedly stressed that discussions must be strictly limited to the nuclear issue, rejecting any negotiation over its ballistic missile program or defensive capabilities, while the U.S. administration insists these talks include the missile issue and support for regional allies, including Hezbollah.

In a letter addressed to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader said the country is "fully prepared to face any foreign threat," according to Iran's IRNA news agency.The letter was sent by Ali Akbar Velayati to Hezbollah's chief to convey condolences over the death of the father of Hassan Nasrallah, who led the movement for 30 years before being killed in a massive Israeli raid on Beirut's southern suburbs in September 2024. "Iran, as a main pillar of the resistance, and with no intention of aggression toward others, is fully prepared to face any threat and any foreign enemy, particularly the United States and Israel," Velayati wrote. More on the context Iran, US talks to be held Friday in Oman: Iranian media "Indirect talks between Iran and the...

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